Count on Coconut Oil

Have you heard? Coconut oil has taken the spotlight! Some swear by its skin-softening qualities. Others claim that it helps them lose weight, and some won’t go a day without incorporating it into their diet in some way. Getting past the hearsay, is there any evidence to back up the benefits of coconut oil?

As far as plant oils are concerned, coconut is quite unique. Most are clear and liquid at room temperature like canola or olive oil. But at first glance, coconut oil may as well be lard because it is opaque and solid. Like the fat in animal products, coconut oil is also “saturated.” But it does not have the same effect of raising cholesterol and creating plaque in your arteries. This means you are protecting your heart by choosing coconut oil!

Rather than traveling through the bloodstream increasing the chance for plaque formation, coconut oil takes a shortcut to the liver. Here it used as fuel fairly quickly. The calories from coconut oil can be converted to energy more quickly than calories from animal fats. Perhaps this reminds you of a piece of trending knowledge; that coconut oil can help with weight loss. The truth about the matter is more complex than it sounds. Research results are mixed about coconut oil’s role in weight loss. But remember, it benefits your health in other ways! By turning the calories into energy right away, the body does not store them as excess fat. And because it offers your body more nutritional perks than other fats, coconut oil is still a smart choice for an overall healthy diet.

Simply put, coconut oil is a saturated fat, but it’s unique. It protects heart health and keeps cholesterol levels under control. It also gives your body a convenient fuel source. Talk with a registered dietitian to see how to make coconut oil part of your plan for health!

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